Williams is jazzed about role

Ex-Illini off to good start for Utah, writes Sam Smith

November 11, 2005|By Sam Smith

You won't get any arguments from Deron Williams. He loves this game.

"The rookie experience has been good," says the Utah Jazz guard, who comes to the United Center to face the Bulls on Saturday for the first time since the success he had with Illinois last season. "It's two hours a day practice, and you're free after that. It can't get much better than a two-hour workday.

"And," he adds with a grin, "the pay's pretty good."

For him, it's about $3.5 million this season and about $16 million over the first four years, assuming the Jazz picks up his option years. That's likely because Williams, now coming off the bench, is slated to be the next John Stockton in the Jazz's renewal. The next Karl Malone isn't there yet, and the real one probably would hide in the corner rather than watch the team's quiet drama with his supposed successor, Carlos Boozer.

The free-agent power forward who jumped to the Jazz last season after--according to the Cavaliers--backing out of a deal with Cleveland, hasn't played this season because of a hamstring problem. That's on top of the 31 games he missed with foot problems at the end of last season. It's beginning to look like the Jazz may have one stats leader this season--Boozer in steals.

Even though the Jazz had to give up three first-round draft picks for him, in the end it's likely Williams will end up as a real steal.

"My responsibility is to get people into the offense," Williams says. "I'll be all right defensively. I've gotten beat a few times. I have to learn how to guard people and how they call the fouls on the perimeter.

"They traded three first-round draft picks to get me (Martell Williams and Linas Kleiza this year and a future Pistons' pick), so they are expecting a lot. But I feel I'm ready to be out there. That's what I do, play basketball. Whatever role they want me, I'm here to do that. Coming off the bench doesn't matter as long as I'm out there."

Though Williams doesn't start, he usually finishes. He's averaging 23.4 minutes, 10.4 points and three assists per game while shooting 38.5 percent. He has made only 6 of 11 free throws, which is not a good indicator for his percentage but a hint that he's not going to be the next Stockton. Or Jason Kidd.

Those were two players Williams was compared to as he led the Illini to the NCAA championship game. Though Williams has a stocky build somewhat similar to Kidd's, he's slower.

Williams spent a few days at Stockton's home in Spokane, Wash., before training camp began, but he's no Stockton. Williams has proved to be more offense-oriented thus far. Although his assists-to-turnovers ratio is a respectable 3-1.8, he averages 10 field-goal attempts to just two free throws. Most of the great point guards attempt two or three field goals for every free throw.

Williams also doesn't have classic point guard instincts. He tends to work the perimeter and set up the offense rather than break down his defender and pitch balls out to shooters. When Williams penetrates, it seems it's more often to get his own shot. But he does have a nice midrange game, which is a lost art among many young guards who prefer the three-point shot or slam dunk.

Williams is a throwback in his simpler approach to the game, which will fit with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

"We have to have someone to set up the offense if someone pressures us, to get floor balance and easy shots," Sloan says. "We have to find good shots, get in good position for rebounding and be ready to get back."

By not overpenetrating, Williams helps in those areas.

But there's much to learn for any rookie.

Williams, friends say, tends to be somewhat moody, and it caused some misunderstanding when he arrived in Salt Lake City. Williams is not generally a revealing interview, and early in his stay his short, perfunctory answers became an issue in the local media.

It was talked about on radio and TV, and Williams was depicted as condescending. To his credit, when Williams heard the criticism, he moved quickly to explain and smooth relations, though he kept details, like his sessions with Stockton, for the Web blog he's writing for Realgm.com.

Williams is not exceptionally fast on defense and has had difficulty with quick guards such as Steve Nash, against whom he fouled out. Williams has been defensive in such situations, usually answering, local reporters say, with a comment like "if you say so" when asked about being beaten on defense. His response seems to indicate not hubris but self-confidence and pride, traits that should help him in the NBA battles.

Williams says he talks regularly with former teammates Dee Brown, still at Illinois, and Luther Head, now with the Houston Rockets. Brown had hoped to join the two in the NBA this season but was injured and returned to school.

"He was disappointed," Williams said, "but it's over with and he has to worry about the college season and not what happened. He can get better and hopefully improve his draft stock."